Hey Lorel,
Great question on barn choring. I posted my response just now as a new blog.

Feel free to use my question in your blog entry. It would be great if it can help any other riders as well. Have a great xmas.

Hi Heather, I struggle with a problem which I am sure many other riders have. I am employed working with horses then do farmwork when I get home so I have very overdeveloped mucles on my right side. This tends to make me collapse through the right side when I ride as my left side doesn't hold the same muscle tension. Would you have any recommendations for exercises or stretches I could do to try to even things up and also any tips or tricks as to how to build an awareness of when I am collapsing in the saddle. Its fine when there is someone around to point it out but for most of the week I am on my own without mirrors or help.

Ah - is that how it works, will do as teach a lot and have a huge interest in bodies, and mine is not working too well just now. Thanks Heather!

having major navigation problems - can't get back to the video now!

Hi Heather--thanks for responding! I have not yet had a chance to look at the blog post but will do so shortly. I would love to let you use the photos, but I did not take the video so unfortunately I do not have the rights to them. However, I am hoping this weekend to coerce my trainer into taking some more photos so I can compare where I'm at now with where I'm at then. If you'd like I can send them to you so you can see if they'd be helpful. I don't mind in the least that you use them, I just unfortunately don't own the ones I posted.

Thanks,
Leslie

Hi Heather,
Can you send it to my webmaster? I'm not computer savvy enough to do it. Her name is Terri and she's at: terri.romine@1netmarketingservice.com
Thanks!
Jane

Hi Heather,
I just sent an email to y webmaster to add your link. See you this weekend!
Jane

Hi Heather,
Thank you so much for your help. I'm going to work on all of your suggestions for the summer and maybe by fall I can send you some photos of the new improved me. The only thing I won't be able to do is yoga. Is there an alternative idea?
I don't think I care too much if you use the photos as long as when I send the improved photos you include them for back up! I'm really very paranoid about how I look.
My saddle is a Stubben Roxanne all purpose type. I rode for several years in my dressage saddle (Passier Nicole) and kept making my stirrups longer (and comfortable) until one day I was not able to ride any other way. So I have been on a mission to shorten my stirrups and get my leg together again. I want to be able to ride well in both saddles. I was able to get too comfortable and too unfit in the dressage saddle.
We will be moving this fall to the midwest. A clinic would be great after we get reestablished there. I won't forget. And I have a slew of friends where we are headed who fall into my age category.
The advice and encouragement regarding age for those of us who are having to face the age thing, is really invaluable. We are constantly bombarded with "can't" and the retirement mind set. I bet there are a lot of us out there. My mind says that riding is one of the few sports I'd ought to be able to continue into my 80s, now my body needs to shake off poor thinking and catch up.
Thanks again

Hi Heather,
oops, I just posted everything to the comments from last week when you helped with my problems. I hope you can find them. I had to really "suck it up" to let the world see me.
Tell me more about online coaching, please

Hi Heather,
I'm sorry I waited so long to respond but I actually was being productive. I was very encouraged by your comments soooo I asked my daughter to photograph me- something no one has been permitted to do in about 10 years because I have gained so much weight. Anyway it took awhile to get the photos and then to get them to my computer. The photos were revealing to say the least and brought up some issues. Is it too late to send them to you?

Hi Heather,
A twitch of the finger and the post I was composing to you disappeared! I was telling you about my lovely Arab mare, Arosa who has really changed peoples' minds about Arabians. She's 28 now and arthritic but is one of those horses that you wish would never get old. I love the Arabs and the TBs. I guess I've always enjoyed the self propelled breeds!

I'm not sure if this is where you want questions posted. I'll look a little farther to see if there is a better place. If I don't find one I'll come back to post in comments. Thanks for offering answers and thanks also for being so encouraging.

You can keep the Quote Heather.

Oh yes that would be wonderful! I am sure I can come up with some questions as well....glad to be here!

thank you sooo much for that story that was great.

Hi Heather!
Thanks for the offer. I did see your post on my discussion and have been trying to figure out how to get someone to take a picture (there isn't usually anyone around when I am in the arena). I'll try again today. If not successful I'll send in more detail.

Hi Heather.
I am not sure if this would be the correct spot to ask for this advice or if it is ok to do so. But my question is....I am just attempting to start riding after a bad car accident over 2 years ago....Dec 1 2006. Severe whiplash, injuries to my neck and back. My horses are very green so I started out riding once a month on a friends to build up some strength. I was able to work up to once a week. But, had to stop in November due to pain and want to re-start again. Can you suggest anything to help me build some strength.....my goal is to get on my horses this year, hopefully have one of them in the show ring (hack class) even if only once.....

Before my accident, I was riding at least an hour a day. I had was working with my colt consistantly (now a gelding) 6 years old, and a pasture ornament. Prior to that I had been riding since I was 13.......have ridden competitively and quite a bit. I am now 44. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Heather,
I would be very interested in the "fittips" each month. I will email you there and leave my personal email address. Thanks so much again for your help.
Andrea

Hi Heather,
Thank you so very much for your in depth comments. They were all extremely informative and I am trying to keep the information in mind while I am riding. I would be happy to submit my photos for you article on leg lengthening, as long as it won't highlight the problem for my show season this summer....in other words, please be gentle! When the article is being published, would you mind letting me know as I am looking for as much information as possible for my leg position. Recommended exercises are also eagerly awaited! Thank you again for taking the time to respond to my photos.
Andrea